Resolving Investor-State Disputes: Australia's Dilemma and Choices
In Nye Perram, International Commercial Law and Arbitration: Perspectives, Chapter 1 (Ross Parsons Centre of Commercial, Corporate and Taxation Law, 2014)
20 Pages Posted: 24 Dec 2014
Date Written: December 22, 2014
Abstract
This article examines Australia’s controversial 2011 Trade Policy Statement in which the Federal Government indicated that it will no longer provide for investor-state arbitration (ISA) in future bilateral and regional trade agreements (BRTAs), choosing instead to rely on domestic courts for the resolution of investment disputes. In analysing this policy shift, the paper discusses the nature of foreign direct investment (FDI) and its economic significance to host and home states, as well as to inbound and outbound foreign investors. Following this analysis, the paper outlines the reasons behind Australia’s rejection of ISA and evaluates its perceived advantages and disadvantages in contrast with the reliance on domestic courts for the resolution of investment disputes. The paper expresses caution about a complete rejection of ISA and illustrates the challenges of implementing this Policy in light of the proposed Investment Chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and Australia’s trade interests in the wider Asia region. Instead, the article urges adoption of a Model BIT, which would include various dispute avoiding measures and provide parties with access to either domestic courts or ISA in a manner that is consistent with Australia’s national interests and international good practice.
Keywords: Australian Trade Policy Statement, BRTAs, FDI, TPPA, ISA
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